Justice for Ankita Bhandari: All Three Accused Found Guilty in Shocking Uttarakhand Murder Case

Nearly three years after the brutal murder of 19-year-old Ankita Bhandari, justice has begun to take shape. A Kotdwar court in Uttarakhand has found all three accused — Pulkit Arya, Saurabh Bhaskar, and Ankit Gupta — guilty in the high-profile case that shook the state. The sentencing is expected to be announced shortly.

The verdict was delivered by the Additional District and Sessions Judge in Kotdwar, following over two years of hearings and the testimony of 47 key witnesses. Though the SIT had listed 97 witnesses, only the most critical were presented in court during the trial.

Tight Security, Emotional Atmosphere in Kotdwar Court

As the verdict was announced, tight security was deployed around the courthouse, with large crowds gathering outside, reflecting the intense public scrutiny the case has drawn since it first emerged in 2022. Emotions ran high, with Ankita’s family and supporters demanding the death penalty for all the convicts.

The Crime That Outraged a State

Ankita Bhandari was working as a receptionist at the Vanantra Resort near Rishikesh when she was allegedly murdered by the resort owner and two of his associates. According to the police investigation, Ankita was pushed into the Cheela canal after she refused to provide ‘extra services’ to VIP guests — a chilling euphemism that sparked outrage and protests across Uttarakhand.

Her body was recovered nearly a week later from the canal. The incident triggered massive protests, leading the Uttarakhand government to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by DIG P. Renuka Devi.

Next Step: Sentencing

The court's decision on the punishment is awaited and could come within hours. Meanwhile, Ankita's family continues to demand the harshest penalty, hoping the justice system delivers a message loud and clear.